History of Corsets

History Of Corsets

Corsets have been an important article of clothing that has helped shape and achieve the fashions of many centuries. It has gone through many evolutions as fashion trends have changed. Women, as well as men, have for centuries used the corset as a mean to shape their bodies into, what they believed at the time, the perfect shape.

The earliest image of a corset was recorded in 2000 BC, the image is of a Crete Women, and the article of clothing that was worn was what we would perceive to be a corset, However it was worn as an outergarments. While typically the corset has been used as underclothes, there have been instances where it is used as outer garments. Corsets are still seen as outer garments in the national dress of many European countries.

The term corset was not always used; it gained popularity at the end of the 18th century as a change from the term that was most often used, stays.

The earliest form of the corset that was used as it is present day was the cottee. The cottee was a tight elongated bodice that was worn under clothing. It was made up of stiff linen and worn under bodice, as fashion evolved, so did the Cottee; it became tighter and stiffer to better serve the fashion of the time.

Elizabethan fashion was famous for very stiff bodices, thus in the 16th century whalebones began being used in corsets for the purpose of keeping its structure. It became the staple tool in the fashion as it gave a geometrically straight line in the bodice.

They also began using an additive to the corset called the Busk, which was an artificial edge that was given to the bodice. The busk was typically made out of wood, horn, ivory, metal or whale bone, it was then carved and shaped into a thin paper knife shape and inserted into the Elizabethan bodice and was faceted and held into place by lace. The lace was used so that the Busk can easily be placed and removed and it was often used for special occasions and events. The Busk was presented to a suitor as a prize when he was interested in a female (Ewing, 1978, 29). The Busk is also credited to be the originator for all boning, the thing this becomes that bases for corsets for the next 400 years.

During the second half of the 16th century, whalebone began being used at the sides and back of the corset and it was laced up at the front. There is also examples of Iron corsets that were used in the 16th century, they resembles a piece of armor, however silk and velvet were able to be stretch over it to give a nicer appearance. Although some fashion students believe the corset was used as outerwear other believe it was just used in remedial cases.

In 1839 a Frenchman by the name of Jean Werly made a landmark in corset history when he took a patent for women corsets made on a loom. This type of corset was popular until 1890 when machine made corsets gained popularity. Before this corsets were all made by hand. Quite usually they were homemade, many magazines used to publish articles on how they were to be made.

Following the French revolution there began a decline in the use of corsets as women began wearing clothing that required little or no underclothes. It was a symbol of freedom due to the fact that small waists and corsets were something that was very often used by their oppressors. Although there was a decline the fashion was still not extinct.

In the 19th century there became a greater demand for corsets that were not as restricting or harmful. The people asked and they were given many new options. In 1884 Dr. Jaeger came up with wool sanitary corsets, they were described as flexible and elastic, thus people were not restricted like normal corsets, There were also durable and respondent to movements. Dr. Jaeger claimed that the wool had curing capabilities and that it had helped cure him of his chronic ill- health, excess of weight and indigestion Another example of a health corset was created in 1887; it was a Dermathistic corset with leather facing. It was marketed towards women who wanted better health and enjoyed a healthy living lifestyle.